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Asked by: Paramjit Hi, I drive around 1,200 km/month, with about 60% on highways and 40% in the city. I’m confused between Kia Seltos petrol and Seltos diesel. Which one should I go for, given running cost, mileage, driving comfort, and long-term ownership? If you don't mind paying the higher price for one, the Kia Seltos diesel would prove to be a better choice for your usage. The 1.5-litre engine delivers enough power for highway driving and scores well on refinement, too. The biggest advantage would be in terms of fuel economy.Do note, if your region has a 10-year registration limit on diesel vehicles, resale value will be impacted some years down the line. Asked by: S K chakravarty Hi, I currently own two cars - a 10-year-old Honda City VDi and a Maruti Ertiga VDi. Now, I want to buy a small car for daily commuting in Kolkata traffic. I’m looking for something reliable, easy to drive, and fuel-efficient. Which model(s) would you recommend and why? Since your intended usage will be in Kolkata traffic, we don't recommend a diesel engine, like you have in your other two cars. Depending on your budget, you could consider a petrol car or even an EV. Among petrol cars, you could get a Maruti Swift under Rs 10 lakh, which is easygoing and efficient. And if you're after an EV, consider the MG Comet EV if you don't need a lot of space - its compact footprint makes it ideal for traffic. An EV will always have lower running costs and a smoother drive than a petrol car, which is helpful in traffic. Asked by: Vikash I’m looking to buy an automatic car with a budget of ₹10.0–15.5 lakh (on-road). I’ll drive mostly in the city with occasional weekend highway trips. My priorities are safety, fuel efficiency (average), and useful features. Which automatic models (and variants) should I consider and why? At the lower end of your budget, there is the Maruti Suzuki Dzire AMT. It's been rated 5 stars by Global NCAP on adult occupant protection, fuel economy is very good, and it also packs in plenty of features. There is more than enough boot space for your weekend trips as well. The AMT is not the smoothest automatic gearbox, but in all other areas, the Dzire makes for a great choice.There are a lot more options at the upper end of your budget, but it's the Mahindra XUV 3XO Petrol AT AX7 that is worth a look for you. It's a 5-star Global NCAP-rated compact SUV and packs in lots of features for the money. Fuel economy is decent, but like other turbo-petrol engines, mileage is very dependent on your driving style. Asked by: Tah Hi. I want to purchase a compact SUV. I usually drive 40-50km a day. Don't know whether to choose the Skoda Kylaq Signature or the Hyundai Venue HX5 - and whether the Turbo option in the latter is a good bet? Both are excellent compact SUVs with potent and punchy 1.0 direct-injection turbocharged petrol engines. However, which one you choose depends on your preference, and there are pros and cons to each.Comparing purely engines, the Hyundai is slightly smoother, though the Skoda has more punch, despite its lower power figure on paper. Assuming you choose the manual gearbox, both are smooth shifters with light clutches.If you choose the automatics, the Skoda's 6-speed torque converter AT is smoother overall than the Hyundai's 7-speed DCT, but it can feel overly eager moving off from a standstill.On features, both are well equipped and represent good value, though overall, the Hyundai has more. The Hyundai Venue is lighter and easier to drive, but the Skoda Kylaq is more engaging and fun. The Skoda has the slight edge on ride comfort, in case that is a priority. Asked by: zulfiqar ali I’m 30 years old and currently drive a 2011 Santro Xing. I want to buy a new car (budget ₹9–12 lakh). I drive 40–50 km per day and live in Kargil, Ladakh, so the car must handle high altitude, cold starts, rough/uneven roads, and be reliable. What car would you recommend and why? There are plenty of options in your price range of Rs 9-12 lakh. However, if you mean that the conditions you drive through are rough and mountainous, then perhaps an SUV would suit you better than a sedan or a hatchback. Check out the Mahindra Bolero Neo, which has recently been given a facelift and an update, including a more modern touchscreen option. With its tough ladder-frame chassis, robust suspension, torquey diesel engine and rear-wheel-drive layout, it is excellent in hilly conditions and over rough surfaces. Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts 
